Entertainment

Birds of Prey, Fireflies & Urban Foraging at the Watertown Library

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The Watertown Free Public Library. Meet real birds of prey, find out about fireflies and take a walk with an urban forager during events hosted by the Watertown Free Public Library in May. The following information came from the Watertown Library:

Wingmasters: New England Birds of Prey

Saturday, 5/18 | 10:15 a.m. | WATERTOWN SAVINGS BANK ROOM

Meet real birds of prey! We are thrilled to welcome WINGMASTERS back for a program about New England’s raptor species. These stunning creatures sit at the top of the food chain, but their status is being threatened by changes further down the line. Raptor rehabilitators Julie Anne Collier and Jim Parks and their stunning birds of prey help us understand the plight of these predators in today’s world.

Entertainment

Kids Can Dig Into Spring at Planting Event in Watertown

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Mall:

The Watertown Mall, located at 550 Arsenal Street, together with Watertown Families Together invite you to come on Thursday, May 23, 2019 from 10:00-11:00 am for “I’m Digging the Spring,” an event to commemorate Spring by planting. There will be planting themed songs, stories and crafts as well as a small potted plant. This is a free event & all ages are welcome, although the stories are catered to younger children. This will take place in the back hallway of the mall, across from Carter’s. Come dig the spring time with your loved ones!

Around Town

Watertown Residents Invited to Bicycle Event Along the Charles River

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The Charles River from Watertown Square

Watertown residents are invited to come out to the Watertown Moves: Get Out Your Bike event on Saturday, May 11, 2019, 1-3 p.m. at the Watertown Square Dock, Charles River Road at Galen Street Bridge. The rain date is May 19. Live Well Watertown provided the following information:

Dig your bike out of the basement, garage, or shed and bring it down for a free check-up! Meet representatives from Watertown’s Bike & Pedestrian Committee, Live Well Watertown, Watertown’s Transportation Management Association (TMA), and Lime, whose bike share program now has all electric-assist. Learn about Watertown’s active and healthy transportation programs & initiatives!

Obituaries

OBIT: Agnes McFarlin, 82, Nurse Practitioner, Devoted to Her Family

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Agnes McFarlin

A Funeral Mass for Agnes L. McFarlin will be celebrated on Saturday May 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., in the Church of Saint Patrick, Watertown. A daughter of the late William & Gertrude (McDonnell) McFarlin, Agnes passed away Sunday evening. She was 82. Agnes was born in and raised in Alston and later in life moved to Watertown. She was a graduate of St.

Around Town

Family Mental Health Support Group Meets in Newton

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The following information was provided by NAMI:

Family Mental Health support group: NAMI Family Mental Health Support Group is a free, structured, confidential peer-led support group for the families of individuals living with mental illness.  

A support group will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 7:30-9 p.m. at the Newton Wellesley Hospital, at 2014 Washington Street in Newton 02461, on the second floor of the main building in the Bowles Conference Center. Parking will be validated. This is organized by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).

Government

State Funding for Local Schools to be Discussed at Meeting Co-Hosted by Sen. Brownsberger

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following information was provided by State Sen. Brownsberger’s Office:

State Sen. Will Brownsberger will co-host a listening session on state funding for local schools with State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, to learn more about the needs of schools in Watertown, Belmont and Boston in advance of the senate’s FY20 budget debate, which will begin May 20. The first segment of the event will provide local education leaders the opportunity to share their schools’ experiences and concerns with state funding. After community presentations, the remaining time will be spent providing attendees the opportunity to make comments and ask questions. The hearing will be limited to two hours and is open to the public. All are encouraged to attend.

Entertainment

Mount Auburn Cemetery Will Debut Nature Plays in June

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Mount Auburn Cemetery provided the following information:

Announcing the world premiere of the“The Nature Plays”, the first series of site-specific short plays by Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Playwright Artist-in-Residence, Patrick Gabridge. 

“The Nature Plays” run from June 1-9, 2019 at Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt. Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA. These five short plays highlight stories inspired by the rich natural environment of Mount Auburn with topics such as spotted salamanders in Consecration Dell, birders at Auburn Lake, and historic debates between naturalists who are buried at the Cemetery. Through comedy and drama “The Nature Plays”explore topics both current and whimsical from global warming to the secret world of mushroom hunting. Audiences will experience the performances at various spots across the grounds, surrounded by the sights and sounds of the natural world.

Perkins School for the Blind

Perkins, Spaulding Rehabilitation Team to Make Info More Accessible

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Perkins School for the Blind provided the following information:

While the landmark 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act has made great strides specific to physical access, there is still a significant gap around accessible digital information. Assistive technology tools exist, such as audible screen readers, but the success of those tools hinges on the thoughtful and inclusive design of digital information. Spaulding Rehabilitation Network has taken a major step to close that gap by teaming with Perkins Access, the commercial consulting group at Perkins School for the Blind, to design a patient-first website (spauldingrehab.org) which sets a new standard for usability and accessibility. Spaulding patient Chris Hoeh tested the new site and commented, “I use my phone for most of my online needs and navigate using my thumb, which doesn’t work on most sites. It would be incredible if all organizations followed Spaulding’s lead and considered users of every ability when designing their sites.”

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) specify how to make content accessible and usable by audiences of varying needs and abilities.